| MUMBAI:
The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF), ESPN Star Sports (ESS)and Leisure Sports Management
(LSM) have announced the names of the foreign players who will play in the third
edition of the Premier Hockey League (PHL). These players will be allocated
to the teams keeping in mind their strengths and the slot available. For the first
time international players from seven countries will play in PHL with big names
from nations like Australia, Netherlands and Spain. Pakistan and Netherlands top
the imports with 12 and eight players respectively scheduled to play in league
starting on 4 January in Chennai. Some of the key names include
Jamie Dwyer- the goal scorer from Australia, Santi Freixa from Spain- the best
FIH player and Junior Player of the World, Pakistani Hockey team captain Rehan
Butt, Sander van der Weide- a multiple medal winner with the Dutch hockey team
among others. The foreign players have been classified to play in short stints
and some of them will play in the Chennai leg of the league and some will join
their respective teams for the Chandigarh leg. The Pakistani players will however
stay on for a longer duration. IHF president KPS Gill said, “We are
looking at a much bigger and more competitive league this season. With only one
tier featuring seven top teams and 30 foreign players confirmed, I am sure Indian
Hockey will be the winner at the end of it all.” ESPN Software India MD R
C Venkateish said, “It was essential to bring in foreign players to give
the league, the players and the viewers a competitive and international standard
of Hockey in the country. These players will not only raise the standard of the
game but also provide an interesting dimension to the viewers. We are on verge
of taking the Hockey broadcast to the next level. We realise that there is a strong
need to make the game of Hockey more and more viewer friendly.” LSM MD
SS Dasgupta said, “The players have been chosen keeping in mind their skill
set and they will be allocated to the seven PHL teams in accord with the need
and requirements of each team that will be discussed in consultation with the
IHF, the coach and the captain of the team." | 
